Arsenal vs Blackpool player ratings: Joe Willock, you rule

Arsenal traveled to a barren Blackpool and took care of their first foray into the FA Cup. Here are the player ratings from the match.

Arsenal had a mixed XI out there on the pitch against Blackpool, clearly favoring the pacey options up front, which the team continued to utilize throughout the match. However, despite what felt like it should have been a one-sided match, the Gunners weren’t as sharp as you might have liked.

In fact, Blackpool provided plenty of their own opportunities in the first half in particular, and the early goals that the Gunners were scoring were just down to Blackpool muffing their own lines and not being able to cover themselves.

Regardless, it was 2-0 Arsenal at the break thanks to two fantastic bouts of anticipation from Joe Willock, who was in the right place at the right time.

Find the Pain in the Arsenal Podcast here – Assessing Unai Emery’s first term

It wasn’t a pretty match to watch, all things considered. The best chances came from Blackpool, but their distinct lack of quality kept them from getting one home. Arsenal’s defense was skating all over the place yet again, and the joy they did find was confined to quick breaks following a lapse in Blackpool’s futile attempts to make something happen.

Still, it was a win for the youngsters, who, particularly in the attack, look quite special. So let’s get into the player ratings:

Goalkeeper